What Is a 45g Switch? Keyboard Switch Weight Explained

When comparing mechanical keyboard switches, you will often see descriptions such as 45g switch, 50g switch, or 60g switch. But what does that number actually mean?

A 45g switch usually does not mean that the physical switch weighs 45 grams. In keyboard terminology, “45g” normally refers informally to approximately 45 gf of force at a particular part of the keypress.

It often refers to actuation force or operating force, although manufacturers do not always use the terminology in exactly the same way. That is why it is important to check which force specification the 45g figure actually refers to.

Quick choice

A 45g switch is generally considered light. It requires relatively little force to press and is popular for gaming, everyday use and users who prefer a light typing feel. Two 45g switches can still feel completely different, however, because of bottom-out force, spring design, tactile bumps and travel.

1. What does 45g mean on a keyboard switch?

When someone calls a switch “45g,” they usually mean approximately 45 gram-force, written more accurately as 45 gf.

Gram-force is a unit of force.

A 45 gf switch therefore requires approximately the same force exerted by the weight of a 45 gram mass under normal gravity at the specified point.

It does not mean:

• the physical switch weighs 45 grams;
• the keycap and switch together weigh 45 grams;
• the switch produces exactly 45 gf of resistance throughout its entire travel.

2. Why do people write 45g instead of 45 gf?

Keyboard product pages and enthusiast communities often shorten the specification to 45g because it is familiar and convenient.

Technically, 45 gf is more accurate because the specification describes force rather than mass.

You may therefore see:

• 45g
• 45 gf
• 45g operating force
• 45 gf actuation force

These expressions are sometimes used loosely, so always check the manufacturer's exact definition.

3. Is a 45g switch light?

Yes. For traditional mechanical keyboard switches, around 45 gf is generally considered light.

Force	General feel
30–35 gf	Very light
40–45 gf	Light
50–55 gf	Medium
60–65 gf	Firm
70+ gf	Heavy

These are rough categories rather than strict standards.

4. What does a 45g switch feel like for typing?

A 45g switch generally provides a relatively light keypress.

This can mean:

• little force is required for each input;
• rapid repeated keypresses are easy;
• it suits users who type lightly;
• it provides less resistance than heavier switches.

For some users, 45g may feel too light, particularly if they rest their fingers heavily on the keys.

5. Is 45g good for gaming?

45g is a very common light force range for gaming switches.

Requiring less force can make rapid inputs comfortable.

This may suit:

• FPS games;
• MOBAs;
• rhythm games;
• rapid WASD movement;
• fast repeated keypresses.

However, 45g alone does not determine how early the input registers.

For that, pre-travel, the actuation point and switch technology also matter.

6. Is 45g good for typing?

For many users, yes.

A lighter switch can be comfortable during long typing sessions because less force is required for every keypress.

The trade-off is that light switches can also be easier to activate accidentally.

The ideal force therefore depends on:

• how firmly you type;
• how heavily you rest your fingers;
• whether the switch is linear, tactile or clicky;
• its bottom-out force.

7. Is a 45g linear the same as a 45g tactile?

No.

This is an important distinction.

A 45g linear switch has no tactile bump, so resistance normally increases relatively smoothly.

A 45g tactile switch may have a much higher tactile peak force.

For example:

• Operating force: 45 gf
• Tactile force: 60 gf
• Bottom-out force: 55 gf

This tactile switch could feel noticeably heavier than a 45g linear during normal typing.

8. What about a 45g clicky switch?

With clicky switches, the clicking mechanism can introduce additional resistance.

A click bar or click jacket may create a noticeable force peak.

A 45g clicky switch can therefore also feel firmer than a comparable 45g linear.

9. Does 45g always mean actuation force?

No, which is why reading the full specifications matters.

A manufacturer may use a 45g value for:

• actuation force;
• operating force;
• initial force;
• spring weight;
• bottom-out force.

If a listing simply says “45g switch” without additional context, check the manufacturer's specifications before comparing it directly with another switch.

10. Actuation force vs spring weight

These terms are often confused.

Actuation force describes force around the point where the input registers.

Spring weight can be used differently depending on the manufacturer or enthusiast community and may refer to another point in the spring's compression.

A “45g spring” therefore does not necessarily mean the same thing as “45g actuation force.”

11. Actuation force vs bottom-out force

A switch might have:

• Actuation force: 45 gf
• Bottom-out force: 60 gf

The switch therefore activates lightly but becomes firmer when fully pressed.

Read our guide to actuation force vs bottom-out force for a deeper comparison.

12. Why can two 45g switches feel different?

Because 45g represents only one part of the switch's complete force curve.

Other differences include:

• initial force;
• bottom-out force;
• spring length;
• progressive spring characteristics;
• tactile bumps;
• pre-travel;
• total travel;
• factory lubrication.

Two switches sold as 45g can therefore feel completely different.

13. 45g vs 35g switches

Characteristic	35g	45g
General feel	Very light	Light
Resistance	Very low	Low
Accidental inputs	Easier to trigger	Slightly more controlled
Gaming	Extremely light inputs	Light but slightly firmer

14. 45g vs 60g switches

Characteristic	45g	60g
Feel	Light	Firmer
Force required	Lower	Higher
Rapid inputs	Easy	More resistance
Accidental activation	Slightly easier	Less likely

15. Is a lighter switch faster?

Not automatically.

A lighter switch requires less force, but this does not tell you how far it must move before registering.

For example:

• Switch A: 35 gf, 2.0 mm pre-travel
• Switch B: 50 gf, 1.2 mm pre-travel

Switch A is lighter, but Switch B activates earlier in its physical movement.

Read our guide to pre-travel for more information.

16. Is a 45g switch tiring?

For most users, 45g would not be considered heavy.

Fatigue is not determined by actuation force alone, however.

It can also depend on:

• bottom-out force;
• typing force;
• session length;
• spring curve;
• keyboard height;
• wrist position.

17. What does 45g mean on Hall Effect switches?

A Hall Effect switch may use a spring with a roughly 45g-type feel while its actuation point is configured separately in software.

You can therefore combine a light spring with settings such as:

• 0.5 mm actuation;
• 1.0 mm actuation;
• 2.0 mm actuation;
• Rapid Trigger.

Force and actuation distance remain separate characteristics.

18. Which switch weight should you choose?

Preference	Good starting point
Extremely light keypress	30–35 gf
Light keypress	40–45 gf
All-round	45–55 gf
More resistance	55–65 gf
Heavy keypress	65+ gf

Use these values as starting points rather than absolute rules.

19. Common mistakes

• Thinking a 45g switch physically weighs 45 grams: the number normally refers to force.
• Treating 45g and 45 gf as technically identical notation: gf is the correct force unit.
• Assuming 45g always means actuation force: check the specification.
• Assuming all 45g switches feel the same: force curves and switch types differ.
• Assuming lighter automatically means faster: pre-travel also matters.

Conclusion

A 45g keyboard switch generally means a switch with approximately 45 gf specified around its operating or actuation force.

45g is generally considered light, making it popular for gaming, everyday use and users who prefer a light keypress.

But the number alone does not tell the full story. Always check whether the manufacturer is referring to actuation force, operating force, spring weight or bottom-out force.

Also compare pre-travel, total travel, bottom-out force and switch type to understand how a switch will actually feel.

Browse our linear switches, tactile switches and clicky switches to compare different switch weights.